Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF393

Introduced
2/13/25  
Engrossed
3/11/25  
Refer
3/12/25  
Enrolled
5/19/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa school performance profiles published by the department of education, including how dropout students affect school performance grades contained in the profiles. (Formerly HF 136.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

Impact

The proposed changes in HF393 aim to provide a more favorable assessment of schools by mitigating the negative consequences of dropout rates on performance evaluations. It suggests that performance measures will now include a broader array of academic indicators such as graduation rates, attendance, college readiness, and other related factors. This approach intends to offer a comprehensive picture of school effectiveness, while still addressing individual student circumstances that might unduly influence overall evaluations.

Summary

House File 393 (HF393) proposes modifications to how the Iowa Department of Education calculates school performance profiles, specifically addressing the impact of students who drop out of school on overall performance grades. The bill introduces provisions that state if a student returns to school after having dropped out and subsequently drops out again, that second dropout will not adversely affect the school's performance grade. This reflects a shift towards a more nuanced evaluation of schools, considering not just the end results but also the path students take.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HF393 appears largely positive, as it is designed to enhance the fairness of school grading systems. By considering the challenges faced by students and allowing for a more forgiving assessment mechanism, supporters argue that the bill promotes equity in educational evaluation. However, this bill might also draw criticism from those who believe it could make it easier for schools to avoid accountability for persistently high dropout rates, potentially leading to complacency in addressing systemic issues within education.

Contention

One notable point of contention may arise regarding the implications of the bill's modifications to performance criteria. While supporters advocate for the importance of addressing dropout issues without penalizing schools for circumstances beyond their control, opponents might argue that this could obscure the true performance of schools and the effectiveness of their programs. The debate highlights the ongoing struggle to balance accountability and equity in educational policy, as stakeholders seek to ensure comprehensive and clear measures of school success.

Companion Bills

IA HF136

Similar To A bill for an act relating to the Iowa school performance profiles published by the department of education, including how dropout students affect school performance grades contained in the profiles.(See HF 393.)

Previously Filed As

IA HF535

A bill for an act relating to the Iowa school performance profiles published by the department of education, including how dropout students affect school performance grades contained in the profiles.

IA HF370

A bill for an act relating to entities supported in whole or in part by public moneys, including the sale of public bonds, the duties and responsibilities of the directors and officers of school boards, school districts, the department of education, the department of health and human services, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, community colleges, institutions under the control of the state board of regents, area education agencies, and election commissioners, and the membership and voting units of county and city conference boards. (Formerly HSB 118.)

IA SF2435

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents; modifying provisions related to compulsory education, open enrollment, the state board of regents presidential search committee, the Iowa tuition grants program, and the Iowa dyslexia board; establishing restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents; providing penalties; and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3201.) Effective date: 05/09/2024, 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 07/01/2024.

IA SF2385

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including effective date and transition provisions. (Formerly SSB 3172.) Effective date: 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025.

IA HF670

A bill for an act providing for veterinary medicine, including the care of animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 640, HSB 139.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2024.

IA SF560

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force to study issues related to programs for at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1212.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 01/24/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA HF567

A bill for an act relating to nonsubstantive Code corrections, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 159.) Contingent effective date. Applicability date: 01/01/2022, 01/01/2023.

IA SF2387

A bill for an act relating to the duties of the Iowa finance authority. (Formerly SSB 3118.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA SF577

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations from the rebuild Iowa infrastructure fund and technology reinvestment fund, establishing a destination Iowa fund, providing for related matters, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1221.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA HF271

A bill for an act relating to investments of funds by life insurers, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 96.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.